LGBTIQ?!

Examining the Issues 4

There are many misconceptions about homosexuality and the LGBTIQ issues.  Too many Christians and churches have not made enough effort to gain an adequate understanding of these matters.  As a result, we are not able to effectively reach out to homosexual people outside the church, as well as to help Christians with homosexual struggles and tendencies within the church.

It is not the intention of this article to comprehensively deal with all the wrong ideas and/or myths related to homosexuality.  Only three core misconceptions are dealt with here.  Clarifying the issues here should be helpful for us to take our first steps towards understanding, loving and helping people with homosexual struggles.

MYTH #1:

HOMOSEXUALITY IS A WORSE SIN THAN OTHERS

People like to grade sins.  We like to think that some sins are really bad, and some are not so.  We have become comfortable with lying, gluttony and the love of money.  We may have even “accepted” these sins are “normal”.  But at the top of the hierarchy of sin that we have formulated (either consciously or unconsciously) are the stuff that we think are really horrendous and deplorable like pedophilia, sorcery and homosexuality.

There is no evidence in Scriptures to endorse such a rating of sins.  On the contrary, the Bible grouped cowardice, unfaithfulness, murder, sexual immorality, witchcraft, idolatry and lying altogether in the same one statement (Rev 21:8); and pronounced the common judgment for all such deeds.

This misconception will inevitably promote an attitude of “I am holier than those people…” or the thought that “My sins are too terrible for God to forgive…”.  Such attitudes or thoughts need to be eliminated.

MYTH #2:

HOMOSEXUALITY IS ALL ABOUT SEX

Many people have the mistaken idea that homosexuality is all about sexual attraction to people of the same gender and acting out all those lustful desires.  No!  Even though SEX is right in the middle of the word homoSEXuality, sex is not the core issue of homosexuality.  The fact is that many people in their early stages of struggling with homosexuality (often as young as 11 or 12 years old) were not looking for sexual encounters or satisfaction in the first place.

In reality, homosexuality is essentially the wrong reactions and responses to a legitimate need; the need for love, acceptance, affirmation and identity.  These wrong reactions and responses are the results of sexual disorientation or confusion regarding a person’s masculinity and/or femininity in the context of circumstantial conditionings, traumatic experiences, spiritual/demonic and/or genetic factors.  (Please refer to previous related articles.)

It is so easy to misconceive sex to be the core issue in homosexuality.  Just like other sexual immoralities such as pre-marital sex and adultery, sex is a very convincing counterfeit to love, acceptance and intimacy.  This misconception need to be dispelled because it will distract us from effectively ministering to the real needs of LGBTIQ people.

MYTH #3:

MARRIAGE WILL FIX HOMOSEXUALITY

Biblically and theologically, the opposite of homosexuality is NOT heterosexuality.  The opposite of sex between same genders is NOT sex between opposite genders.  As much as sex between same genders is definitely sinful, sex between opposite genders is not necessarily “not sinful”.  Pre-marital sex, adultery and rape (involving people of the opposite sex) are all sinful.  We need to understand this.

Therefore, the concept that heterosexuality is the opposite of homosexuality is a misconception that arises from shallow and simplistic thinking.  Such a misconception makes us think that a heterosexual romantic relationship and ultimately marriage; would help someone overcome homosexuality.  And this misconception also causes us to expect that when a homosexual person comes before God and is “set free”; he or she would become “straight” and attraction to people of the opposite sex would immediately kick in, and that person would/should automatically start dating someone.  And, we think erroneously that everything is now settled, good and well.

NO!!!  Rather, the opposite of homosexuality is actually HOLINESS.  Holiness would be something that the repentant homosexual (as with all other sinners) should be hungering for.  In many cases, this will be a process, a journey of sanctification; in the context of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, dependence on the grace of God Almighty, and active obedience to the commandments in the Scriptures through the power of the Holy Spirit.

It is important to know that such misconceptions about homosexuality have negatively influenced and shaped the attitudes, words and deeds of the churches and Christians towards the LGBTIQ people.  And similarly, we need to know too that the LGBTIQ community has their own misconceptions about Christ, Christianity and the Church largely due to our prejudices.

“Hate the sin but love the sinner…” though fundamentally true, may be too simplistic an approach for us to effectively reach and help people with LGBTIQ issues.  We need to unpack this statement, and ask ourselves how we can truly love our LGBTIQ neighbors.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

This is the fourth article of a series of postings that Jason Fong hopes to write on various issues related to the LGBTIQ matter.  The book, GOD’S GRACE AND THE HOMOSEXUAL NEXT DOOR (Harvest House Publishers) has significantly helped shaped Jason’s thoughts expressed above.  He recommends this book, which is written by Alan Chambers and the Leadership Team at EXODUS INTERNATIONAL (a ministry helping people overcome homosexuality), to people who are interested to read/study more.

If this article has blessed you, or if you think this article will bless someone; please feel free to forward it or used it in any way that would bring glory to God.  If appropriate, please acknowledge the source when quoting this material.  Jason Fong also welcomes your thoughts and comments for mutually edifying interactions.

Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this article may not necessarily reflect those of the Christian organization Jason works in, nor the church or denomination he belongs to.

praise&prayer

19 January 2012

After my last ministry assignment last year (which was the 3G Camp), I was on leave and had a good rest from about Christmas till mid January 2012.  My family and I travelled down south to my hometown, Batu Pahat.  We went down to Singapore over the New Year and spent time with family and loved ones.  And the way back north, we dropped by Batu Pahat again; and then spent a few days in Malacca, where I preached and taught in two churches.

After that, we came back to PJ, our home-sweet-home.  The next weekend, we made a trip up north to Ipoh, to cari kawan (look up friends) and to cari makan (look for food).  I preached in two churches as well.

The itineraries above were planned for the family, especially because Sarah is currently home from.  It’s her winter holiday, and it’s very cold in Seoul!  We thank God for the great time we are having together.  Praise the Lord!

My family and I will be going back to Batu Pahat soon for the Chinese New Year.  We will be there for about a week.  Please pray that God will watch over our going out and coming in.  Pray too for my preaching engagements in two churches in Batu Pahat, that God’s Word would impact lives.

In the midst of all the fellowship and feasting, I will be thinking about a coming ministry trip to HCMC, Vietnam.  I am actually flying off on the fifth day of Chinese New Year.

My ministry trip to HCMC will stretch over 8 days.  Among others, my itinerary would consist of a meeting with Pastors and Church Leaders to challenge them about youth ministry (about 20 persons), a special half-day youth event (about 100 young people) and a 3-day training seminar for youth leaders.

Please pray for my on-going preparations, both spiritual, mental and physical; and most of all that I will be an instrument that God may use to touch lives and catalyze further ministry!

Thank you and God bless!

Indeed 1Malaysia is a noble concept… and, O how I wish we can be truly one Malaysia!  As I reflect on Luke 10:25-37, I think Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan would be a good foundation for 1Malaysia…

This photograph was downloaded from a local news portal.  The occasion was the 2011 Merdeka Celebration.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Even though a picture may be worth a 1000 words, a few additional words could often accentuate the image.  The image in return could enhance the words…

Feel free to share these words and image if it has blessed you, and/or if you think it will bless others.

MARANATHA is an Aramaic word in the New Testament.  It is like a prayer: “Come, O Lord!”

I was taking breakfast at a hawker center in Singapore recently.  Sharing the table with me were two elderly ladies who were obviously Christians.  I overheard one saying to another, “Jesus Christ is definitely coming back very soon… But is He coming back to save this earth or to destroy it?”

So… SAVE or DESTROY???  Without going deep into Eschatology, the simple answer would probably be both…

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Even though a picture may be worth a 1000 words, a few additional words could often accentuate the image.  The image in return could enhance the words…

Feel free to share these words and image if it has blessed you, and/or if you think it will bless others.  I took this picture at a conservatory in Melbourne a few years back.

It is very easy for us to feel so alone… especially in the midst of hardships, trials, and even persecutions.  We must remember that we are NEVER ALONE… because Jesus has promised to be with us… even to the end of the earth.

This photograph was taken in Seoul Korea.  The lady in the photograph is one of my daughters…

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Even though a picture may be worth a 1000 words, a few additional words could often accentuate the image.  The image in return could enhance the words…

Feel free to share these words and image if it has blessed you, and/or if you think it will bless others.

LGBTIQ???

Examining the Issues 3

We have thus far considered some preliminary and basic issues related to LGBTIQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Trans-sexual, Inter-sex and Queer).  It is time to go into even more turbulent waters…

Most babies should be born clearly and specifically either a boy or a girl.  The respective genital organs should confirm this.  Yet, as babies grow up; they all go through some kind of sexual orientation.  This means that a baby boy most likely does not fully appreciates and understands that he is a boy.  Neither is it likely that a young toddler girl knows and understands her femininity.  As such under normal circumstances, the parents, other family members and/or care-givers of a young child would provide the necessary guidance in this period of sexual orientation.  Here is where Circumstantial Conditioning and Traumatic Experience (as per my previous blog) could come into play.

TYPES OF HOMOSEXUALITY

With the contexts above, some psychologists further propose that there may be different types of homosexuality; namely:

=      Experimental Homosexuality

=      Situational Homosexuality

=      Reactive Homosexuality

=      Preferential Homosexuality

=      Compulsive (or Obligatory) Homosexuality

Experimental Homosexuality may be a passing phase in the process of sexual orientation of a person (as mentioned above), particularly at the adolescent age.  In most cases, the person would eventually settle down as exclusively hetero-sexual.

Situational Homosexuality may happen in situations where hetero-sexual options are not available, such as in the prisons.  Sexual release would be the prime motivation here.

Reactive Homosexuality is where a person who is actually heterosexual under normal circumstance, “chooses” a homosexual relationship because of fears, threats and/or traumas.

Preferential Homosexuality takes place when a person who is capable of hetero sex actually prefers to be homosexual.

Compulsive Homosexuality is where a person has no heterosexual interest, but is compulsively attracted to people of the same sex.

HOMOSEXUAL TENDENCY

Having a brief understanding of the above, and even as we move on to further explore this matter; it is will be good to proceed by differentiating homosexual tendency from the actual homosexual act.

Different people with different sexual orientation, and under different circumstances, may experience different degree or intensity of homosexual tendency.  Experiencing homosexual tendency is NOT the same as having sexual intercourse with someone of the same sex.

I think it is could be helpful to view the proposition above from the angle of temptation…

I may be attracted to a woman other than my wife.  I may have a tendency to start an extra-marital affair with that person.  I may be tempted to commit adultery with her.  But I am NOT an adulterer, unless I yield to that tendency and temptation; and actually sleep with the woman.

With the same rationale, we must be careful not to simply and conclusively label a person with homosexual tendency as a homosexual person.  Rather, it is needful for us to understand with great compassion; that homosexual tendency in many sense is similar to other sexual temptations such as adultery, prostitution, or even rape and pornography.  When we are quick to call this person a gay or that person a lesbian just because he/she has no interest in people of the same sex, we may be just pushing that person towards the tipping point.

With a similar understanding, people (especially Christians) with strong homosexual tendency should learn to resist the temptation towards homosexuality, just like “straight people” would resist the sexual temptations of pornography, prostitution and adultery.  By saying this, it is not my intention to oversimplify the matter.  Just like the challenges for a smoker to resist smoking are different from a junky to resist doing drug; I am sure the severity of the sexual temptations faced is different.  Indeed the intensity is not the same… but I think the provision for victory is.  By yielding to the Lordship of Jesus Christ… by the renewing of our hearts and minds with His Word… by resisting the devil and fleeing from temptations… and through counseling and support groups; there is hope, and there can be victory.

Again, I do not want to be simplistic.  I am not saying that the homosexual thoughts will go away magically… I am not promising that heterosexual attraction will come miraculously…  (The Lord is sovereign and He is almighty, so He may just choose to do so.)

What I am saying here is that by God’s grace and strength, a person with homosexual tendency does not necessarily have to fall into and/or yield to the temptation of committing homosexual acts and living a homosexual life.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

This is the third of a series of postings that Jason Fong hopes to write on various issues related to the LGBTIQ matter.  Jason is aware that this article has many questions unanswered…

Nonetheless, if this article has blessed you, or if you think this article will bless someone; please feel free to forward it or used it in any way that would bring glory to God.  If appropriate, please acknowledge the source when quoting this material.  Jason Fong also welcomes your thoughts and comments for mutually edifying interactions.

Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this article may not necessarily reflect those of the Christian organization Jason works in, nor the church or denomination he belongs to.

WILL SPRING

COME TO MALAYSIA?!

My heart cries out even as I read what some people are currently saying in a political assembly in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia…

In the dark, cold and dreary winter,

Some people are saying all sorts of thing;

Trying so hard to outdo each other,

Many speak before they even think L

Cruel lies and baseless accusations,

About a long gone riot and the recent Bersih;

Those aware voice their indignations,

While others sleep on… not a word they say L

S.E.L.A.H…

Arise… awake… keep watch and pray,

And be prepared to go to the ballot box;

That winter will not go on and on and stay;

But spring will come… May it be O Lord J

Let’s hope and work hard for the best,

In our beloved tanahair ku Malaysia;

And be ready should we go through the test,

Even so we eagerly wait for the Parousia J

IMPORTANT NOTES:

If this poem has blessed you, or if you think this poem will bless someone; please feel free to forward it or used it in any way that would bring glory to God.  If appropriate, please acknowledge the source when quoting this material.  Jason Fong also welcomes your thoughts and comments for mutually edifying interactions.

Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this article may not necessarily reflect those of the Christian organization Jason works in, nor the church or denomination he belongs to.